Band / Hinge Adjustment Help Please

BOWHUNR

I was doing a cook last night on my large and after I removed the meat and went to close the lid it wouldn't go down.  It would just hang there with about a 4" gap at the front of the egg.  Tonight I investigated further and I must admit I'm stumped.  I removed the springs and loosened the bolts that hold the hinge assembly to the bands and it goes right down nice and straight.  I tightened the bolts and checked again and everything lined up perfectly.  I re-installed the springs and closed the lid.  It didn't feel right and it is shifted to the right about an inch.  All bolts are tight and nothing seems to be bent.  Have any of you ever run into this?  Is it possible to have a bad spring?  They look identical in length, but something is not right.

Mike

Chubbs

Yeah possibly a bad spring. Mine are shot too. I got SWMBO to lift and lower dome with me looking at the hinge (@RRP suggestion, thanks). I could see my issue. Tightened and worked for a cook or two. Mine won't stay open so little different but springs def go bad

RRP

BOWHUNR said:

I was doing a cook last night on my large and after I removed the meat and went to close the lid it wouldn't go down.  It would just hang there with about a 4" gap at the front of the egg.  Tonight I investigated further and I must admit I'm stumped.  I removed the springs and loosened the bolts that hold the hinge assembly to the bands and it goes right down nice and straight.  I tightened the bolts and checked again and everything lined up perfectly.  I re-installed the springs and closed the lid.  It didn't feel right and it is shifted to the right about an inch.  All bolts are tight and nothing seems to be bent.  Have any of you ever run into this?  Is it possible to have a bad spring?  They look identical in length, but something is not right.

Mike

Mike - I have to get to bed - I think I might be able to help you tomorrow after I return from zombie land

4Runner

This happened to me somehow too and mine go so bent out of shape I couldn't reassemble. I had recently purchased the hinge/bands so sent pics to Mothership and they sent me a new assembly. Never had another problem.

BOWHUNR

Thanks everyone.  Looking forward to your response in the morning Ron.

Mike

BOWHUNR

Bump.  Don't forget about me Ron.

Mike

Jeepster47

@RRP must have tied one on last night ... he's usually good about answering questions.

Would you consider taking six pictures?  One of each side of the outside of the hinge ... one of each side of the inside of the hinge ... one from the top ... and one from the back.

My nest handler gets in the way, but here are some of my large:

RRP

Jeepster47 said:

@RRP must have tied one on last night ... he's usually good about answering questions.

 

Jeepster47 said:

No - as I said last night I had to go in early this morning for another set of steroid injections in my spine.

RRP

BOWHUNR said:

Bump.  Don't forget about me Ron.

Mike

Here you go Mike...

First carefully remove both springs from the hinge. That is easier to do when they are relaxed in the open position.
Next loosen all the nuts in the hinge and the two bent bolts in the band - so the bands are free to move easily. Now line up the edges to your satisfaction. Now here is a tricky part....maybe a child or wife can help you...place a 2 x 4 on the dome opening and exert strong constant pressure on it pressing the dome firmly against the base. I did this myself using two 4 foot long wood working clamps. Or another method is have your son sit on a board on the dome! While you re-tighten  first the band bolts and then all the hinge bolts. Replace springs. That should resolve your issue....however...

Are you familiar with the popular dollar bill test? Close your dome on a dollar bill and see if it is relatively difficult to pull out. Do this all the way around your dome. If you find a space of little resistance it actually will be a sizable space and will either be at the front or the back. If loose in the front then open the dome and based on how big you think the gap is in terms of the thickness of a 25 cent piece then place 1, 2 or 3 quarters stacked on the edge of your base. Now close your dome and carefully loosen the top band bolt, press down to reset the positioning and tighten. Remove quarters and your plane should be ok. I have only known one person needing 3 quarters 2 is most common.

theyolksonyou

I did this just as @RRP describe except rather than perch my wife precariously on the top, I pulled the guts and used a ratcheting tie down thru the handle, top then bottom vent. Presto, chango! Problem solved.

BOWHUNR

Thanks Ron.  I will give that a try in the next couple of days.

Mike

Chowman

Any idea what causes this to happen, or how we can avoid this? I am guessing it involves doing a regular torque check on all bolts? Or do the springs fail after 10,000 lifts or so?

RRP

metal fatigue is my bet with both the bands and springs. They get hot they get moved and they get cold all the time that the ceramic does not expand or contract.